UV Index in Freetown Today
September 4, 2026 · Freetown, Sierra Leone
Capital802,639 people
See today's UV index in Freetown hour by hour below. The UV index shows how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is — the higher the number, the faster skin can burn. Values are calculated for Freetown's coordinates and updated daily.
UV rises later today
Hour by hour
Clouds cut the peak by ~27%Protection windowClear sky
Remember today
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Shade at midday
- Cover up
Daylight: sunrise 06:45 – sunset 19:01
Tomorrow: UV 6 at its peak around 11:00
The UV index in Freetown peaks at 9 (very high) around 13:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 11:19 and 15:47, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 27% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 6 around 11:00.
UV index in Freetown hour by hour
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 0 | Low |
| 07:00 | 0 | Low |
| 08:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 09:00 | 0.5 | Low |
| 10:00 | 1.5 | Low |
| 11:00 | 2.4 | Low |
| 12:00 | 4.3 | Moderate |
| 13:00 | 8.7 | Very high |
| 14:00 | 5.8 | Moderate |
| 15:00 | 4.5 | Moderate |
| 16:00 | 2.6 | Low |
| 17:00 | 1.2 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0.3 | Low |
| 19:00 | 0 | Low |
| 20:00 | 0 | Low |
UV index in Freetown
Freetown lies at 8°N. The midday sun reaches 88.7° above the horizon in Freetown today, and twice a year it passes straight overhead. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Freetown it is so steep that the rays take the shortest possible path through the atmosphere, and the index can reach extreme values.
What is the UV index?
The UV index is an international scale describing the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation at ground level. It starts at 0 and is effectively open-ended — at mid-latitudes it rarely exceeds 8, while in the tropics and high in the mountains it can pass 11. The higher the number, the less time it takes to get sunburnt.
The UV index depends mainly on how high the sun is in the sky. That is why it peaks around solar noon and is greatest in summer near the longest day of the year. Clouds, ozone, altitude and reflection from snow or water also affect the value.
The WHO UV scale
| UV index | Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Low | No special protection needed. |
| 3–5 | Moderate | Use sunscreen (SPF 30+), seek shade around midday. |
| 6–7 | High | Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Avoid the sun 12:00–15:00. |
| 8–10 | Very high | Extra protection. Limit midday sun exposure. |
| 11+ | Extreme | Avoid the sun at midday. Full protection required. |